Manchester United 2020/2021 Season Review

 Manchester United fans' all over the world had low expectations when the transfer window was closed on October 5th after a mixed window. They bought a quality midfielder Donny van de Beek from Ajax, one of the best left backs in europe, Alex Telles, from Porto and a desperate signing in 33 year old Edinson Cavani from Paris Saint Germain after the failed recruitment of Jadon Sancho. Cavani prove everybody wrong, he proved that he still is a quality center forward, even as his career his winding down as he scored 17 goals in 39 appearances but he did pick up a few injuries throughout the season. Donny van de Beek was not given enough minutes in games, where Solskjaer constantly brought him on in the dying moments of games. The question must be asked if he was a Glazer signing? Alex Telles followed the same path where he suffered from a lack of games even though there were valid reasons for that with the season Luke Shaw had. Still he should have been given more opportunities. Amad Diallo a promising young talent from Atalanta arrived and starved for opportunities as well. As mentioned earlier Luke Shaw had an outstanding season along with Marcus Rashford who scored 21 goals and 15 assists while carrying various injuries during the season, Mason Greenwood finish to the season would encourage most fans but the standout has to be Bruno Fernandes who scored 28 goals and 17 assists, deservedly won the Sir Matt Busby Player of The Year Award. Where would they they be without him?

Solskjaer performed beyond expectations by finishing second, unbeaten way throughout the season and reaching the Europa League final but his inexperienced showed as he lacked the tactical know how and in-game management. He seems unable to change how the team plays during games. Substitutes are used to late to make an impact and it seems to be a refusal to substitute his favorite players i.e. Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes, Mason Greenwood, Paul Pogba and Edinson Cavani. The coaching set up needs an overhaul. Manchester United have a problem of creating chances against teams that are well organized defensively and there is lack of proper defending at set pieces. Michael Carrick and Kieran McKenna don't have the experience to support a inexperienced manager like Solskjaer and Mike Phelan, is experienced but he worked under Sir Alex Ferguson but football has moved on and changed since  where there are experienced coaches with fresh ideas. Solskjaer needs to get experienced, proven coaches in. This is all he can do as a manager but he needs to be backed by The Glazers in the transfer market. Next season will be a make or break for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Time To Go

 

The Glazers' role in the inclusion of the now failed UEFA Super League and the fact that they were among the architects, is the tipping point for me to get them out as owners. I wanted them to sell before but even more now. To think, they wanted to join a league that would essentially fill their pockets and among other teams involved and kill the aspirations of smaller teams. There would never be a Leicester City winning the Premier League.

The Glazers since 2005, not only brought debt and are yet to repay that debt but they have also failed to upgrade Old Trafford. They have pumped money in transfers but the money is wasted because men with non-football brains do the the spending. They have showed no interest in building a relationship with the fans. Joel Glazer, co-chairman will hold a meeting with Manchester United fans on June 4th in the fan forum. Prior the only form of communication was when they acquired the club 16 years ago. It doesn't surprise me that  fans have had enough and has shown their discontent through protests, with the biggest one resulting in the postponement of arguably the biggest football game in the world, Manchester United v Liverpool. The only way they sell is that they are forced too. Please be aware that the owners will and try buy our support by spending money on big name players in the transfer market. Don't fall for their gimmick.   

Lack of appetite for success

 Manchester United had a great opportunity in the January transfer market to improve their squad so they can challenge for the premier league title. Instead the ownership, do what they normally do, become comfortable in their current position of second on the table and content with a champions league place. After all that is what all they care about, obtain that champions league money, it's a bonus if the team wins trophies. This season is an opportunity to win the league, with teams like Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspurs all struggling for consistency. If Manchester United don't win their 21st league title in 2021, I can't see when they they will get a great opportunity like this. Supporters of this club, know that a center back, right winger, defensive midfielder and a right back is needed to challenge for trophies. The only position that was invested in was a right winger, not the right winger that was rumored to join but instead the club bought, Amad Diallo, at 18 years old, he is a signing for the future and a desperate signing in Edinson Cavani was brought in. Don't get me wrong, Cavani has performed well this season, he's fast becoming the type of center forward that the club needs but they waited on the final day of the transfer window to sign him , when he could have been acquired much earlier given his contractual situation at PSG was well known. 

If Ole Gunner Solskjaer wins the league title or any other trophies, it won't be because of The Glazers backing but It would be in spite of them them. Previous managers had the same issue. The Glazers thinking and interpretation of success for Manchester United was be re-evaluated by themselves.